At 7-1, are Cowboys the latest poster child for parity in the NFL?

The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Maliek Collins have crushed their opponents, including winless Cleveland. But is their record a false-positive? Rodger Mallisonrmallison@star-telegram.com

The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Maliek Collins have crushed their opponents, including winless Cleveland. But is their record a false-positive? Rodger Mallisonrmallison@star-telegram.com

Welcome to Dakfest.

The sports talk radio guys and callers are talking Super Bowl for the Cowboys and anointing rookie Dak Prescott as the quarterback of the present and future. He and rookie RB Ezekiel Elliot are being mentioned as possible league MVPs.

Tony Romo? He’s back and healthy (for now), but the overwhelming sentiment is that he should remain in the wings and let Dak do his thing.

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At 7-1 the Cowboys, along with the New England Patriots, have the best record in the NFL.

But seriously, are folks reaching a bit?

Consider:

▪ The combined record of the teams beaten by the Cowboys is 18-37-2.

▪ Only one of those losing teams, the Redskins at 4-3-1, has a winning record.

▪ The best team the Cowboys have played? The 5-3 Giants, who beat the Cowboys in the season opener — at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Pedigree-wise, victories over Cincinnati and Green Bay look impressive, but those teams have joined the NFL’s ever-growing list of average (and disappointing) teams, of which Sunday’s opponent, the 4-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, are also a member.

We should learn more over the final eight games. The combined record of the Cowboys’ opponents during that stretch is 34-30-1, and four of those teams (Giants, Redskins, Vikings and Lions) have winning records.

Yes, the Cowboys are playing well and appear to be on their way to a playoff berth — and Dak has certainly shown to be poised beyond his years — but there’s a reason they haven’t won a Super Bowl since Bill Clinton was president. Outside of 2014, when the Romo-led Cowboys flirted with elite status, they have been a model of mediocrity.

So the question is: Are these Cowboys really that good, or are other teams that bad?